Combined horizontal boring, drilling, and milling machine



Jan. 26, 1954 H. N. STEPHAN 25667.105

COMBINED HORIZONTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. #444 /s MSrEP/MN BY m4),

Armmvzys COMBINED HORIZONTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. l/ncus A! SI'EPHAN Arm Ne ys Jan. 26, 1954 H. N. STEPHAN 2,667,105

COMBINED HORIZONTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE- Filed April 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 26, 1954 H. N. STEPHAN 2,567,105

COMBINED HORIZQNTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE Filed April 21. 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVENTOR. #14415 N Srew-m N Arwqzvc ya Jan. 26,. 1954 H. N. STEPHAN 2,667,105

COMBINED HORIZONTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE Filed April 21. 1950 e Sheets-Sheet 5 J Z80" i 4-4 5 INVENTOR. "I! 5441415 IYSTEPHAN Jan. 26, 1954 H. N. STEPHAN 2,667,105

COMBINED HOR IZONTAL BORING, DRILLING, AND MILLING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

l/uu: IV. Sra-PHAN mm), 94A;

ArramvtYG Patented Jan. 26, 1 954 COMBINED HORIZONTAL BORING, DRILL- ING, AND MILLING MACHINE Hallis N. Stephan, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to The New Britain New Britain, Conn. necticut Machine Company,

, a corporation of Con- Application April 21, 1950, Serial No. 157,269

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to machine tools comprising power actuated mechanism for automatically indexing or positioning a movable machine tool element thereof to or in a predetermined desired position to within a fraction of a thousandth of an inch in response to the actuation of a control element. The invention more particularly relates to combined horizontal boring, drilling, and milling machines comprising power indexing or positioning mechanism of the character referred to.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved machine tool and more particularly a combination horizontal boring, drilling and milling machine comprising power actuated or driven mechanism for indexing or sequentially positioning a movable machine tool element automatically to or in a plurality of predetermined positions to within a fraction of a thousandth of an inch merely by operation of a control member to initiate movements of the machine tool element, and which mechanism can, with little if any change therein, be conveniently used with conventional end measuring rods.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved machine tool and more particularly a combination horizontal boring, drilling and milling machine comprising power actuated or driven mechanism for indexing or successively positioning a movable machine tool element thereof automatically to or in a plurality of predetermined positions to within a fraction of a thousandth of an inch merely by actuation of a control element, and which mechanism includes a detachable or removable rodlike member having a plurality of abutments spaced longitudinally therealong at predetermined positions and a member adapted to travel along the rod and engage the abutments for controlling the positioning of the machine tool element.

The invention resides in certain novel constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combined horizontal boring, drilling and milling machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the drive mechanism for moving the spindle head, saddle and table of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front view with parts broken away, looking directly at a portion of the spindle head and showing part of the indexing or positioning mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 are views somewhat similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts in sequential operating positions during the automatic positioning of the spindle head in a desired location;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and taken approximately on line 9-9 of Fig. 10 showing a mechanism by which the spindle head can be automatically positioned by the use of conventional end measuring rods;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line Hllil of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and taken on line H-il of Fig. 12, showing the parts set for manual control of the spindle head for positioning the spindle head by the use of conventional end measuring rods;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken approximately on line I2-I2 of Fig. 11, and

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram of that part of electrical mechanism of the machine which is involved in the present invention.

Although the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, it is particularly applicable to and is herein shown and described as embodied in a combined horizontal boring, drilling and milling machine of the general character shown in United States Patent No. 2,350,174, issued May 30, 1944.

As shown in the drawings, the machine comprises a generally rectangular-shaped base A provided at one end with a vertical spindle head column B having ways H], i I on its front face upon which ways a spindle head C, provided with a generally horizontal spindle i2, is mounted for vertical movement, and at the other end with a vertical backrest or outboard support column D slidably supported for movement toward and from the spindle head column B on a pair of horizontal main ways l3, only one of which is shown in the drawings. The backrest column D is provided with vertical ways i1, i8 upon which the backrest block F. is mounted for vertical movement. In addition to the outboard support column D, the bed ways I3 slidably support a saddle F for movement towards and from the 3 spindle head column B. The saddle F has on its upper side transversely extending, horizontal ways 20, 2| which, in turn, slidably support a work table G for movement in a horizontal plane transversely of the axis of the spindle l2.

The spindle I2 is rotated in opposite directions and moved axially in opposite directions at different selectable speeds in a conventional manner by a power drive which includes an electric motor l4 located on the base A, and a gear transmission T driven by the motor, which power drive is described more fully hereinafter. The spindle I2 is adapted to be rapidly traversed by a separate electric motor, not shown, carried on the spindle head by conventional mechanism. Provision is made for manually moving the spindle l2 axially by a rapid traverse turnstile 22 and a feed hand wheel 23, and the spindle is selectively connected with the power feed mechanism by a control 24. The mechanism for moving the spindle is conventional and is therefore not described in detail.

The spindle head is adapted to be moved vertically by a lead screw 25 rotatably supported in the frame and threaded in a nut fixed in the spindle head. The spindle head is counterbalanced by a counterweight, not shown, attached to the head by a chain 26. The lead screw 25 is adapted to be rotated in either direction at a relatively slow, or feed rate, or at a relatively high speed, or rapid traverse rate, by conventional manually operated devices or by the motor driven gear transmission T as described more fully hereinafter.

The backrest block E is adapted tobe moved vertically by a vertically extending lead screw, not shown, located in the column D and threaded in a nut fixed to the outboard support. The outboard support lead screw is coupled with the drive mechanism for lead screw 25 so that the spindle head and outboard support E move vertically in unison, as is conventional in this type of machine tool.

The saddle F and the table G are both adapted to be moved in opposite directions and at either feed or rapid traverse along their respective ways by lead screws, not shown, which may be manually operated or they may be selectively driven in one direction or the other by the motor driven gear transmission T, as described more fully hereinafter.

The motor i4 is connected to the power input shaft 36 of the transmission T by a drive belt 32 enclosed in a housing 33. The output shaft 3-5 of one section of the transmission T is driven at selected speeds through shiftable gears 35, 31, which gears are controlled by levers 38, 39, respectively. Shaft 35 is drivingly connected with the spindle l2 through a drive which includes a, vertically extending splined shaft "it driven by shaft 35 through suitable miter gears. The speed at which the spindle I2 is driven can be further controlled by a lever 34 which operates shiftable back gearing, not shown, located in the spindle head.

Another section of the gear transmission in cludes an output shaft 4! which is adapted to be selectively connected with a gear 42 rotatably supported hereon and driven at various selectable speeds from the shaft 35 through gearing which includes shiftable gears 43, d4, 45, 1e positions of which gears are controlled by levers til, 47, 43, respectively. The shaft *3! is selectively connected with gear 42 by a clutch member slidingly keyed on the shaft and movable into and out of clutching engagement with a clutch ele' mentfixed to one side of gear 42. The clutch member 50 is also adapted to be moved into and out of clutching engagement with a second driving clutch element fixed to one side of a gear 5|, rotatably supported on a shaft ii, to connect shaft f in driving engagement with the latter gear. The gear 5i is driven at a relatively high rate of speed and in an opposite direction to that of gear 42 by gear 52 driven by a gear 53 on shaft 39. The gear 5! provides a relatively high speed drive for rapid traverse movements of the power moved machine tool elements.

The position of the clutch member 50 is controlled by a lever 55, to which it is connected by suitable linkage, and movement of the lever to the right, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, connects shaft M to gear 42 for feed movement, and movement of the lever to the left connects the shaft with gear El for rapid traverse movement. The lever also operates to close normally open electric switches lit, 5'! when it is moved from its neutral position, shown in Fig. 2, to the left and right, respectively, which switches are included in an automatic control circuit for the motor M described in detail hereinafter.

The shaft 41 is adapted to be selectively connected through miter gears Ell and a clutch 60 to a shaft 6i operatively connected with the lead screw 25, and the lead screw for the backrest block E for moving the spindle head C and block E vertically in unison. The connections between the shaft 6i and the lead screws mentioned are not shown as such constructions are well known. The clutch ts is controlled by an operating lever 53 which also closes a normally opened switch 64 when it is moved to engage the clutch.

The lead screw for moving saddle F along its ways driven by a shalt 65 adapted to be selectively connected with shalt 4i, through miter gears and a clutch 67, which clutch is controlled by a lever 68. The lead screw for moving table G along its ways transversely of the spindle axis is driven by a shaft 69 adapted to be selectively connected with shaft 4! through miter gears "in and a clutch "H, which clutch is operated b a lever 72. The lever 72 is adapted to close a normally open switch 64 when it is moved to engage the clutch. Preferably, the clutch operating levers 63, 6B and 12 have suitable interlocking mechanisms for preventing engagement of more than one clutch at any one time. Interlocking mechanisms suitable for the purpose are well known and they are therefore not shown.

The operation of motor it may be controlled by the machine operator through a control system including controllers l5, 76, ll, 78 located in a movable pendent contact box l9 supported at a convenient location by a conduit 14 attached to the machine. The controller l5 is referred to as a selector and it may be moved to or set in a neutral position, a manual position, which sets up a manual control for the motor, or an automatic position to provide i'or so-called automatic control or" the motor. The controller 76 is referred to as the forward controller and comprises a normally closed switch 56a and a normally open switch it?) which are opened and closed, respectively, by depressing a switch operating member, and the motor. M is operated in its forward direction when the switch operating member is depressed. Controller I'l, referred to as a stop controller, comprises a switch which is biased closed and is effective to stop the motor when it is opened by depressing its operating memberr Controller 18 is referred to as a reverse controller and comprises a normally closed switch 18a and a normally open switch 18b which are opened and closed, respectively, by an operating member when the member is depressed, and the motor I4 is operated in its reverse direction when the switch operating member is depressed.

The control for the motor I4, in addition to controllers 15, 16, 11, 18 just mentioned, includes switches 64, 64 previously referred to, and switches 88, 8| and 80', 8| which latter pairs of switches are operated according to certain vertical movements of the spindle head C and horizontal movements of the table G, respectively.

The switches 80, 8| are fixedly located in a housing 82 attached to the spindle head C, and

may be the so-called Microswitch type having operating members 83, 84, respectively. The switch 88 is normally biased open and the switch 8| is normally biased closed. The switch operating member 84 is actuated by a plunger 86 of a dial indicator type micrometer 81 which is attached in the housing 82. The switch operating member 83 and the plunger 86 are actuated to close and open switches 88, 8|, respectively, by the forward end of a control member 88 pivoted in an opening 98 in the housing 82, which opening communicates with a vertical opening 9| through the housing. The member 89 is pivoted in the opening 98 by a pin 92 and is biased clockwise, as seen in Fig. 4, by a spring 93 so that the rear end tends to project into the opening 9|.

The rear end of control member 89 is adapted to engage and slide along the surface of a vertically extending rod I80 supported or carried by a splined stationary shaft IOI which extends vertically through the opening 9| and the lower end of which shaft is supported by a bracket I02 secured to the machine base A. The shaft I8| has a V groove I03 extending lengthwise in the front side thereof, which groove is adapted to receive conventional measuring rods or the rod I80, or rods similar to rod I80. The rod I or the end measuring rods, as the case may be, are bottomed on an anvil I04 suitably attached in the bracket I02 and are detachably secured in the groove I83 by one or more clips I05 which are c shaped spring members having hook formations at the ends which engage the front and rear sides of the rods and shaft I8I to hold the rods in the groove. The cross sectional configuration of the opening 9|, as shown, corresponds to that of the shaft I 0| and the attached rod I00, which rod, as shown, is of the same general form and diameter as the conventional end measuring rod to be used with the machine.

The rod I00 has a plurality of peripheral recesses or grooves I81 formed therein at predetermined intervals corresponding to the spacings of the successive head positions desired. Each of the grooves or recesses I81 has an abutment I08, in the form of a section slightly reduced in diameter relative to the rod proper and an abutment I09 which is the lower side of the recess I01, and adjacent to a section 0 having a smaller diameter than the section I08. As the spindle head C moves vertically, the rear end of control member 89 engages and slides along the surface of the rod proper, and enters and leaves the recesses I01 changing the angular position of the control member and in turn actuating the switches 88, 8|.

In the machine shown, provision is made for moving and indexing the table G transversely of the spindle axis in a manner similar to that in which the spindle head is moved and indexed and similar control mechanism is provided. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the control mechanism for the spindle head only is herein shown and described in detail and the corresponding parts for controlling the table G bear the same reference characters having a prime.

The power movements of the various machine elements, that is, the spindle head C and the backrest block E, saddle F, and table G, can be controlled manually for conventional machining operations by operating the motor I4 in one di rection or the other and manipulating the clutch levers 55, 83, 68 and 12. The particular machine element to be moved is selected by operating the appropriate clutch levers 63, 68 or 12, as described hereinbefore, and the lever 55 is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, to cause the transmission to drive the respective machine elements in rapid traverse, and moved to the left to cause the machine elements to be driven in feed. The direction of the rapid traverse and. feed movements is controlled by control of the direction of motor operation.

In addition to the manual control of the machine element movements for conventional operations, the spindle head C together with backrest block E, and the table G can be accurately positioned automatically by control mechanism, including the rod I 00, or rods similar thereto, which mechanism is operative to automatically stop the motor I4 in the rapid traverse and feed movements of the machine elements mentioned so that these elements are relatively quickly positioned to within a fraction of a thousandths of an inch of predetermined positions. The control mechanism is operative to index the positioning of the machine elements in a plurality of positions, or in a single position which can be determined with the use of one or more conventional end measuring rods.

The motor I4 may be controlled by the operator for conventional power movement of the machine elements by moving the selector 15 to close switch 15a which establishes control of the motor by the controllers 18, 11 and 18, or the machine may be set for automatic positioning by moving the selector 15 to close switch 15b.

When the selector switch 150. is closed for establishing conventional manual control of the motor I4, the motor is energized to operate in its so-called forward direction by depressing the switch operating member of controller 18 which opens normally closed switch 16a and closes normally open switch 161) thereby completing a circuit for a solenoid I2I of a relayFR, which circuit comprises line LI, switch 15a, wire "2, switch 161), wire II3, normally closed switch II4, wire II 5, normally closed switch 18a, wire 6, normally closed switch II1, wire I28, solenoid I2I, to L3. Solenoid |2| then closes contactors I 22 to complete the forward motor circuit from lines LI, L2, L3, through wires I23, I24, I25, respectively, whereupon motor I4 commences to operate in its forward direction.

The solenoid I2| closes a switch 28 which establishes a circuit from LI, through switch 15a, Wire II2, switch 16b, wires II3, I21, switch I26, wire I38, solenoid I3I of a relay PC, to L3. Solenoid I3I closes switches I32, I33, I34 which establishes holding circuits for solenoids |2I and |3| through the stop switch 11 and around switch 16b to permit normal reopening of the forward switch 161) and conditions a motor plugging circuit for braking the motor when the stop switch 11 is depressed for opening the forward motor circuit; The holding circuit for solenoid I2I includes LI, selector switch 15a, wire I I2, normally closed stop switch 11, wire I35, switch I32, wires I36, 30, switch I26 of relay FR, wires I21, II3, normally closed switch 4-, wire II5, normally closed switch 16a, wire I I6,norma1ly closed switch II1,'wire I25, solenoid I2I, to L3. The holding circuit for solenoid I3I comprises LI, selector switch 15a, wire I I2, normally closed stop switch 11, wire I35, switch I32, wire I36, to solenoid I3I to L3.

The motor plugging circuit includes normally opened motor operated plugging switches I31, I38 which are connected in circuits with switches I33, I34, respectively, of relay PC. Plugging switch. I31 is closed during the time motor I4 operates in its forward direction and plugging switch I38 is closed during the time the motor operates in its reverse direction, both switches opening, if closed, when the motor stops. Closure of plugging switch I31 by operation of the motor energizes a solenoid I40 of a relay PF by a circuit from LI through wire I4I, plugging switch I31, wire I42, switch I33, wire I43, solenoid I45, to line L3. Solenoid I46 opens normally closed switch I and closes switches I46, I41, the latter of which completes a holding circuit around the switch I33 from line LI through wire I4I, plugging switch I31, wires I42, 42, switch I41, wire I43, solenoid 143, to L3. Switch I46 conditions a circuit from plugging switch I31 through wire I42, I42, switch I41, switch I46, wire I53, normally closed forward controller switch 16a, wire I5I, normally closed switch .952 of relay FR, which is now held in open position by solenoid I2 I, wire I53, solenoid I54 of the relay RR, to line L3. The motor plugging control circuit at this point is conditioned to cause motor reversing circuit contactors I to be closed by solenoid I54 when solenoid I2I is deenergized.

The forward operation of the motor is stopped by opening switch 11 which breaks the circuit for solenoids I2I and I3I, causing motor circuit contactors I22 and relay switches I32, I33 to open. Switch I52 is closed upon deenergization of solenoid i2I which completes a circuit through solenoid 154, as described, and the motor reversing contactors I55 are closed to plug the motor. When the motor stops, plugging switch I31 opens to break the circuit for solenoids I43 and I54, which opens the motor reversing contactors I55 and deenergizes the motor circuit.

The motor I4 is operated in its reverse direction by depressing the controller member 18 to open normally closed switch 18a and close the normally open controller switch 181) which establishes a circuit for the solenoid I54 from LI through. selector switch 15a, wire II2, reverse controller switch 1%, wire E56, normally closed switch I45, wire I53, normally closed forward controller switch 15a, wire I5I, normally closed switch I52, wire I53, solenoid I54, to L3. Solenoid I54 closes contactors I55 which connect the motor windings in circuit to operate the motor in its so-called reverse direction, and it also closes a switch. I51 which energizes solenoid I3I by a circuit from LI through switch 15a, wire II2, switch 18?), wires i575, I53, switch I51, wires I60, I35, solenoid I3I, to line L3. Solenoid I3I closes switch I32 to form a holding circuit for solenoids I54, I3I around switch 161) and through the normally closed stop switch 11, the circuit for solenoid I54 comprising LI, selector switch 15a, wire II2, stop switch 11, wire I35, switch I32, wires I36, I30, I66, switch I51, wires I58, I56, normally closed switch I45, wire I50, normally closed for- Ward controller switch 16a, wire I5I, normally closed relay switch I52, wire I53, solenoid I54, to line L3. The circuit for solenoid I3I comprises LI, selector switch 15a, wire 'I I2, stop switch 11, wire I35, switch I32, wire I35, solenoid I3I to L3.

Reverse operation of the motor I4 closes plugging switch I38 which establishes a, circuit from LI through wire I-II, plugging switch I38, wires I62, relay switch I34, wire I63, solenoid I64 of relay PR, to L3. Solenoid I64, closes switches I65, $66, the latter switch providing a holding circuit for solenoid I64 around switch I34 by a circuit including motor plugging switch I38, wire I62, I62, switch I66, wire I 63, solenoid I64 to L3. Switch I65 conditions a motor plugging control circuit, which causes solenoid I2I to close the forward circuit contactors I22 when the reverse contactors I55 open by deenergization of solenoid I54.

The reverse operation of motor I4 is stopped by opening stop switch 11 which breaks the circuits for solenoids I54 and I3I, causing contactors I55 to open and deenergize the reverse m'otor circuit, and relay switch II1 to reclose, thereby energizing the solenoid I2Iwhich closes contactors I22 to plug the motor. The plugging circuit for solenoid I2I, comprises line LI, wire I lI, plug switch 133, wires E62, I62, switch I66,

wire I51, switch I65, wires I68, II5, normally closed controller switch 16a, wire I I6, switch I I1, wire I26, solenoid I2I, to L3. The motor quickly stops. and plugging switch I38 opens to deenergize the control circuit. It will be seen that the operator can move the spindle head C and backrest E in either rapid traverse or feed in either direction desired by controlling the direction of operation of the motor I4 and throwing lever 55 to one position or the other, and in the present embodiment the mechanism is so arranged that when the motor operates in its forward direction the lever 55 is operative to cause the spindle head to be elevated rapid traverse and to be lowered in feed when the lever is in its right and left hand positions, respectively, and vice versa when the motor is operated. in reverse. The saddle F and table G are moved along their ways, similarly when their feed screws are connected with transmission shaft 4| by operation of the clutch levers 68, 12.

When it is desired to automatically index or successively position the spindle C together with backrest block E in a plurality of predetermined operating positions, the rod I36, having the recesses I61 formed therein at the proper intervals and of precise dimensions, is clamped in the groove I53 of the shaft HlI as described hereinbefore. The spindle head C is moved to its raise-:3, position, that is to say, above the upper most desired predetermined operating position,

by manual control of the motor and clutch levers,'

as described and this maybe done before rod we is in place. If rod it!) is in place prior to the elevation of the spindle head, the rear end of control member 35 is held from entering the recesses M1 or the rod during upward movement of the spindle head. The control member 89 is released to cause the rear end thereof to engage the rod I51 proper and the control memher will then be in the position shown in i. The selector controller 15 is then moved to the automatic control position which closes selector switch to connect the automatic control circuits with the power lines and opens switch 15a to disconnect the switches of controllers 16, 11 and 18 from the motor control circuit.

Assuming that lever 55 is in its neutral position and it is desired to move the spindle head C to its first indexed position, clutch lever 63 is thrown to engage lead screw 25 with shaft M of .the gear transmission and at the same time it closes switch 64. Switch 64 completes a circuit from LI through switch 151), wire I10, switch 64, wires I1I, solenoid I12 of relay H, wire I13 to L3. Solenoid I12 closes switches I18, I15 to condition a circuit for the solenoid I2i of the starter contactor relay FR. The operator then moves lever 55 to the left which clutches shaft 4| to the rapid traverse gear SI and closes switch 56. Switch 56 completes a circuit from line LI through selector switch 15b, wire I10, switch 56, wires I11, normally closed switch I18 of relay RX, wires I19, I89, time delay switch IBI, wire I82, solenoid I83 of relay RT, wire I84 to line L3. Solenoid I83 closes switches I85, I9I. At the same time a circuit is established through solenoid I86 for the time delay switch I8I from switch 55, wires I11, I81, solenoid I86, wire I88, to line L3. The time delay switch I8I remains closed momentarily, after which the circuit for solenoid I83 is maintained from wire I19 through wires I80, I90, switch I85, wire I82, solenoid I83, wire I84 to L3, which provides a holding circuit around time delay switch IBI.

Solenoid I83 also closes switch I9I which completes a circuit from wire I19 through wire I92, switch I9I, wires I93, I56, normally closed switch I45 of relay PF, wire I50, normally closed forward controller switch 16a, wire I5I, normally closed switch I52 of relay FR, wire I53, solenoid I54, to line L3. Solenoid I54 closes contactors I55 and operates the motor I4 in its reverse direction, causing the spindle head C to move downwardly in rapid traverse. The inner end of control member 89 engages the rod I proper as it moves downwardly and holds switch 80 closed, as seen in Fig. 4.

As mentioned previously, switch 64, which is closed by the clutch lever 63 when the lever is moved to connect the lead screw 25 with the gear transmission, completes a circuit for solenoid I12 of relay H which relay closes switches I14, I15. Switch I15 is in series with switch 88, and a circuit is established from wire I11, which is connected with line LI through switch 56 as previously described, through wire I94, control switch 80, wire I95, switch I15, wire I96, solenoid I98 of relay RX, wire I99 to line L3. Sole noid I99 opens normally closed switch I18 and closes switch 299, the latter switch completing a holding circuit for solenoid I54 from wire I11 through wire I94, switch 80, wire I95, switch I15, wire I96, switch 209, wires 20I, I93, I55, normally closed switch I45, wire I59, normally closed switch 16a, wire II, normally closed switch I52, wire I 53, solenoid I54, to L3. Switch I51 is closed by solenoid I54 and completes a circuit for solenoid I3I from wire I93, through wires I59, I58, switch I51, wires I98, I30, solenoid I3I to L3. Solenoid I3I closes switch I34 completing the circuit for solenoid PR, which closes switches I65, I66 to condition a motor plugging circuit including solenoid I2I, which plugging unit is completed through switch II1 of relay RR when solenoid I54 is deenergized, as described hereinbefore.

The spindle head C is lowered by rapid traverse movement until the inner end of control member 89 enters the first groove or recess I01 in the rod I00, as seen in Fig. 6, and strikes the abutment I08, which causes the control member to rotate to open switch 80. Opening of switch 89 deenergizes solenoids I3! and I54 which breaks the motor circuit at contactors I55 and recloses relay s witch ill to establish the motor plugging circuit from line LI through wire I4 I, motor plugging switch I38, wires I62, I62, switch I96 of relay PR, wire I81, switch I65, wires I68, H5, normally closed reverse controller switch 18a, wire I I9, normally closed relay switch II1, wire I29, solenoid I2I of relay FR, to L3. Solenoid I2! closes contactors I22 to energize the motor I4 for forward operation which plugs the motor and when the motor stops, the solenoid I2I is deenergized by the switch I38 reopening. By the time the motor is stopped, the spindle head will have coasted to a point at which the rear end of the control member 89 is in approximately the position shown in Fig. 7 with the forward end intermediate switch operating member 89 and plunger 85 and the rear end engaging the lower side I09 of the recess I91.

The operator then moves lever 55 to the right which clutches the transmission output shaft 8i with gear 42 to drive the shaft in the opposite direction in feed, and which also closes switch 51. Switch 51 establishes a circuit from line LI through selector switch 15a, wire I18, switch 51, wire 202, normally closed switch 81, wires 293, switch I14 of relay H, wire I99, solenoid I98, wire I99 to line L3. Solenoid I98 closes switch 299 to complete a circuit for solenoid 258 of relay RR from wire I99, through switch 200, wires 298, I93, I 56, normally closed switch I45, wire I50, normally closed forward controller switch 16a, wire I5I, normally closed switch I52, wire I53, solenoid I54, to L3. Solenoid I54 closes contactors I55, to operate the motor in reverse which causes the spindle head C to be moved upwardly at a feed rate. Solenoid I54 also closes switch I51 to complete the circuit for solenoid IEI of relay PC as described in relation to the rapid traverse movement.

As the spindle head moves upwardly at feed, the control member 89 rotates clockwise with the rear end thereof in engagement with the lower side I09 of the recess I01 and the outer end of the control member is gradually moved against plunger 86 by spring 93, as seen in Fig. 8, and operates to open switch BI at a predetermined position of the spindle head C relative to the shoulder I09 on the rod I00. Opening of switch 8| breaks the circuit for solenoid I54 which opens contactors I 55 to deenergize the reverse circuit of the motor. The motor is plugged to a quick stop by the closure of contactors I22 by solenoid I2I, the circuit of which is completed by the motor plugging circuit described hereinbefore and which includes plugging switch I38, switches I69, I65 of relay PR, normally closed reverse switch 78a, and switch I I1 of relay RR. Th spindle head C -is thereby accurately positioned automatically for the desired machining operation.

In the present embodiment, it is desired to always position the spindle head by moving the head upwardly at feed rate, and for this reason, the motor is operated in its so-called reverse direction during the automatic indexing operations.

After the spindle head is positioned, the table G may likewise be positioned by operating clutch lever 12 to connect the table lead screw with the transmission shaft II as described, which lever also closes a switch 04' which is in parallel with switch 54 and performs the same control func tions as the latter. Lever 55 may then be oper ated as described relative to the rapid traverse and lead positioning of the spindle head,- and the automatic control circuits operate similarly to that described, the only exceptions being that switches ill of the tabl positioning control, which correspond to switches ti l, 8!, are connected in. parallel circuit with the latter switches respectively, and operate in place of the latter switches. A control switch 20: 1 is connected in series with switch 8! and is open except when the table G is to be automatically positioned.

Each succeeding or indexing position of the spindle head is automatically achieved by the operation. of lever and the clutch controls 63, I2, as described, and as the spindle head is lowcred, the inner end or control member 89 enters and leaves the successive recesses it! of rod N30 to eiiect control of switches llll, ill as described. It is to be noted that the time delay switch I8l establishes a control circuit for energizing the solenoid independently of the control switch 50 only for a period of time which enables the switch 86 to be reciosed, following an automatic positioning operation, by the member 39 moving out of the respective grooves llll' as the spindle head C moves downwardly relative to rod I00.

If desired, th movements of saddle F could be automatically controlled similar to the spindle head by providing switch mechanisms and controls therefor like the switches 58, ll, 5 80, El, 204 and the rod I00.

The limits of movements of the machine ele ments by power are preferably controlled by suitable limit switches which deenergise the control circuits as the machine elements approach the limits of their travel. Such limit switches have not been shown as they are well known in the art.

In some instances, it may be desirable to accurately position the machine elements men tioned either automatically by power or manually by the use or conventional end measuring rods instead of th rod Illll or similar rods, and in which event the control rod lllil is removed from the shaft iill and housing 32, and a so-called master pin or red i ii is substituted therefor. The rod 22 Ill is adapted to be associated with the housing 82 in such a manner that the motor circuit control member it is operated according to the position of the spindle head 3, for example, as determined by the use of conventional end measuring rods or it may be set to operate the micrometer dial to indicate the position of the spin dle head by the use of end measuring rods when the spindle head is positioned manually. The

rod 2 It is of the same general diameter as the rod Hi and its upper end portion is reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 2i i and is adapted to be slidingly received in an opening through a block H2 at one end of the latter. The upper endof the rod. Mil has a colar illii thereon which engages the upper side of the block 2I2 to prevent withdrawal of the rod from the block opening, and position the rod for the purpose described hereinafter. A coil spring H4 i interposed between the shoulder Eli and the underside or the block 2 i2 and tends to urge the rod 2 I0 downwardly viewed in Figs. 5) and 11. The block M2 is adapted to be secured to the top surface of the box 82 by a bolt 2l5 with the rod 2I0 extending downwardly in the opening 9I through the box in the grove I03 of the shaft ml.

The lower portion of rod 2I0has two groove portions 2!"! and 2H! separated by an annular shoulder or abutment 2I9. The groove forma tion 218 is lilre that of the grooves ill! of rod I00 and corresponding portions have like reference characters bearing primes. The grove 2!! is adapted to be aligned with the rear end of the control member when the rod 2I0 is in its lower position, i. e., with collar 2I3 abutting the block 2I2 as seen in Fig. 9, and the grove 2I8 is adapted to be aligned with'rear end of the control member 09 by raising the rod to the position shown in Fig. 11.

The rod 2H1 can be locked in the raised position by a plunger 220 which is slidable in an opening in the block 2I2 normal to the opening which receives the rod, and is adapted to engage in a groove 22I in the rod to hold the rod in the raised position. The plunger 220 is biased toward the rod 2H1 by a coil spring 222 and the outer end of the plunger has a pin 223 extending laterally therefrom, which pin is adapted to en gage the outer end face of the block to hold the plunger in the position seen in Figs. 9, l0, and to be received in a groove 224 in the outer face of the block. 2I2, to permit the plunger 220 to enter the rod groove 22I as seen in Figs. l1, 12. .It willv be noticed that the groove MI is slightly wider than the end of the plunger 220 engaged therein so that the rod may be moved vertically a slight amount while the pin is engaged in the groove. When it is desired to automatically control the motor I4 for positioning of the spindle head C by use of one or more end measuring rods, the rod 2I0 is positionedas shown in Fig. 9 and one or more conventional end measuring rods, an end of one of which is indicated at 225, is positioned on the anvil I04 and held in the shaft groove I03 by one or more clips I05 so that the lower end of rod 2I0 engages the upper end of the measuring rod when the spindle head C is lowered. The control mechanism is set for automatic operation by the selector 15 as described hereinbefore, and the lever 55 is moved to the left to cause the spindle head to b lowered in rapid traverse movement. Rod 2 I0 is carried by the spindle head until the lower end thereof engages the upper end of the end measuring rod 225 which arrests downward movement of the rod 2H3, but the housing 02 continues moving downwardly relative to the rod 2I0 so that the rear end of the control member 89 engages abutment 2I9 and is rotated to close switch 00. Then as the rear end of the control member 89 enters groove ZIB, it moves into engagement with abutment I08 and opens switch 80 to stop th rapid traverse movement as described hereinbefore with reference to the operation of the control circuits by use of the rod I00. The spindle head will coast after the switch Bil-is opened until the control member 80 is in a position corresponding to that seen in Fig. 7. Lever 55 is then moved to the left by the operator, causing the spindle head to be moved upwardly in feed and relative to rod ZIO which is held to the end measuring rod 225 by spring 214, until the rear end of member 89 engages the lower side I09 of recess ZIB, and rotates to engage the plunger and. operate switch 31 to stop the motor I l, as described hereinbefore. By use of one or more conventional end measuring rods of the proper lengths the spindle head can be automatically positioned as desired, which eliminates the necessity of providing a control rod similar'to rod I00 and having one or 13 more recesses I01 spaced for the desired positioning.

In the event that it is desirable to accurately position the spindle head by solely manual control, the rod 2 I is elevated to the position shown in Fig. 11 and secured by plunger 22! as described. When the rod 2H] is in the position shown, the rear end of the control member 89 engages the lower side Hi9 of the groove 2l8 and the outer end presses against thegauge stem 86- to urge the gauge to a zero or other suitable reference points.

As the spindle head is lowered by manual operation, at the instant the rod 2) engages the end measuring rod 225 its downward travel is arrested and continued downward movement of the spindle head and the housing 82 causes the forward end of the control member 89 to tend to move from the plunger 86 and actuate the indicator of th micrometer 81 and thereby indicate to the operator that the exact desired position of the spindle head has been attained.

It will of course be understood that the table (3- is adapted to be positioned similarly to that described with reference to the spindle head, and if desired, the saddle F could likewise be provided with similar control mechanisms.

It is apparent that by my invention a combination boring, drilling and milling machine tool has been provided which has control mechanism for automatically and successively positioning or indexing one or more of the power positioned machine elements, and which control mechanism can be modified by the mere substitution of control operating members, to position the machine elements with the usual endmeasuring rods either by power or by manual movements of the machine elements.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that other constructions, adaptations and modifications thereof may be employed falling within the claims which follow.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a machine or the like having a supporting member, a member movably supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named member relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, a rod-like gauge member having signal means thereon, signal detection means responsive to said signal means when in. predetermined position relative thereto for effecting the operation of said switch means to stop said supported member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting member, means adapted to receive rod-type end measuring gauges for detachably connecting said gauge member to one of said first two mentioned members, and means for connecting said signal detection means to the other of said first two mentioned members.

2. In combination with a device having a supporting member, a member movably supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named member relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, a rod-like gauge member having abutment means thereon, a movable control member adapted to cooperate with said abutment means upon movement of said supported member for effecting the operation of said switch means to stop said supported member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting member, means adapted to receive rod-type end measuring gauges for detachably connecting said gauge member with one of said first two mentioned members, and means supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named member relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, a rod-like gauge member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced abutment means thereon, a movable control member adapted to cooperate with said abutment means upon movement of said supported member for effecting the operation of said switch means to stop said supported member in predetermined positions relative to said supporting member, means adapted to receive rod-type end measuring gauges for detachably connecting said gauge member to one of said first two mentioned members, and means for connecting said movable control member to the other of said first two mentioned members.

4. In combination with a machine or the like having a supporting member, a member movably supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named member in opposite directions relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, a rod-like gauge member having abutment means thereon, a movable control member adapted to cooperate with said abutment means upon movement of said supported member for effecting the operation of said switch means to stop said supported member, means for reversing the direction of movement of said supported member, said movable control member being also adapted to cooperate with said abutment means upon movement of said supported member in the reverse direction for again efiecting operation of said switch means to again stop said supported member, means adapted to hold rod-type end measuring gauges for detachably connecting said gauge member to one of said first two mentioned members, and means for connecting said movable control member to the other of said first two mentioned members.

5. In combination with a machine tool or the like having a supporting member, a member movably supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named member relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, control means comprising relatively movable signal means and signal detection means responsive to said signal means when in predetermined position relative thereto for effecting the operation of said switch means to stop said supported member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting member, means for operatively connecting said control means to one of said first two mentioned members, and means comprising a rod-type end measuring gauge detachably connected to the other of said first two mentioned members for producing relative movement between said signal means and said signal detection means, upon movement of said supported member relative to said supporting member.

6. In combination with a machine tool or the like having a supporting member, a member movably supported upon said supporting member and power means for moving said last-named mem- 15 her relative to said supporting member, of electric switch means for controlling the operation of said power means, control means comprising a first member having abutment means thereon and a second member, said, first and second members being movable relative to each other and said second member being adapted to cooperate with said abutment means for effecting the operation of said switch means upon movement of said supported means to stop said supported member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting member, means for operatively connecting said control means to one of said first two mentioned members, and means com- 16 prising a rod-type end measuring gauge detachably connected to the other of said first two mentioned members for producing relative movement between said first and second members.

HALLIS'N. STEPHAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,236,881 Rusnak Apr. 1, 1941 2,400,819 Gallimore et a1 May 21, 1946 2,516,842 Baker Aug. 1, 1950 

